Description
A novel critique that undermines Christianity and theism at their foundations.
Hundreds of millions of people believe that Jesus came back from the dead. Philosopher Matthew S. McCormick presents a decidedly unpopular view in this cogent, forcefully argued book—namely, that the central tenet of Christianity, the resurrection of Jesus, is false. McCormick asks a number of probing questions:
Is the evidence about Jesus as it has been relayed to us over the centuries of sufficient quantity and quality to justify belief in the resurrection? How can we accept the resurrection but reject magic at the Salem witch trials? What light does contemporary research about human rationality from the fields of behavioral economics, empirical psychology, cognitive science, and philosophy shed on the resurrection and religious belief? Can we use contemporary research about the reliability of people’s beliefs in the supernatural, miracles, and the paranormal to shed light on the origins of Christianity and other religions? Does it make sense that the all-powerful creator of the universe would employ miracles to achieve his ends? Can a Christian believe by faith alone and yet reasonably deny the supernatural claims of other religions? Do the arguments against Christianity support atheism?
By carefully answering each of these questions, Atheism and the Case against Christ undermines Christianity and theism at their foundations; it gives us a powerful model for better critical reasoning; and it builds a compelling case for atheism. Without stooping to condescension or arrogance, McCormick offers persuasive arguments that are accessible, thoughtful, and new.
Comment
“A fascinating and well-crafted collection of arguments against the resurrection of Jesus and, more broadly, against the existence of God.”
— Ricki Monnier, coeditor of The Improbability of God and The Impossibility of God
“McCormick’s treatment of the psychological and epistemological aspects of the Christian outlook is the best I have ever seen.”
— Theodore M. Drange, professor emeritus, West Virginia University
“An extremely good book. Without any technical flourishes, it makes the case against the Jesus story so compellingly that I cannot imagine anyone who takes the trouble to read it carefully and without prejudice being other than completely convinced.”
— Colin Howson, professor of philosophy, University of Toronto
“Who should read this book? Theists, atheists, Christians, non-Christians, and those whose lives are affected by these overlapping groups—in short, everyone. It contains bold arguments … [and is] plain speaking, fast moving, wide ranging, and hard hitting.”
— Russell DiSilvestro, assistant professor of philosophy, California State University-Sacramento
“In my judgment Matt McCormick’s book is one of the best—if not the best—critique of the core of Christianity ever written. It is clear, comprehensive, cogent, and current. McCormick writes in a clear, straightforward manner and at the same time covers all the important points comprehensively.”
— Michael Martin, philosopher of religion, University of Boston, author of Atheism: A Philosophical Justification and editor of The Cambridge Companion to Atheism.
“Finally, a first-rate philosopher weighs in and utterly demolishes any hope reasonable people have for believing Jesus was resurrected from the grave. Masterfully, he goes on to argue why atheism follows ‘from the ground up’ based on cognitive bias studies, religious diversity, the lack of compelling evidence, divine hiddenness, the problem of miracles, and the failure of faith. No other book presents a better case. Nothing more needs to be said.”
— John W. Loftus, author of Why I Became an Atheist
“McCormick makes a fascinating and convincing case for generalized atheism.”
— Raymond D. Bradley, professor of philosophy emeritus, Simon Fraser University
“This book very convincingly shows that most Christians are not justified in accepting the central doctrines of Christianity. . . . [It] should be read by anyone with an interest in the philosophy and history of religion.”
— Eric Sotnak, associate professor of philosophy, the University of Akron